Welcome back Mike – Forward Mike Knuble is expected to return to the Washington lineup tonight after missing the last 12 games with a broken finger. Knuble has five goals and 10 assists in 19 games this season and was in a groove before his injury. In his last four games before the injury he had two goals and four assists. If he plays tonight, Knuble will add a big body to an already potent offense. The Caps lead the NHL in goals (111) and power play (24.2%).

NOTE OF THE NIGHT

Southeastern breeze –The Capitals enter tonight’s game with a 7-0-0 record against the Southeast Division, the only team in the NHL with a perfect divisional record. Washington only plays two Southeast Division games between now and Jan. 9 – both at home against Carolina .

FIVE MORE NOTES NO MEDIA PERSON SHOULD BE WITHOUT

Odd man out –Wednesday night’s shutout loss to Buffalo, in Washington’s 31st game, was the first time the Capitals have been shut out this season and the first time they did not have a lead at some point in a game. It was just the third time they trailed after the first period and the first of those three games that they did not come back to win.

Top of the world –The Capitals enter Friday’s game with an NHL-leading 44 points through 31 games, just the second time they have led the NHL standings this late in a season (also 1991-92). They posted their best record through 30 games in franchise history and lead the league in goals (108), power play (24.2%) and fewest regulation losses (6).

Roll halted – Washington had a six-game winning streak snapped Wednesday night, its second such streak of the season. The Capitals are the only team in the NHL with two winning streaks of six games or more this season. The Capitals have had a seven-game winning streak in each of Bruce Boudreau’s first two seasons behind the bench.

Kill joy – Washington ranks just 20th in the NHL on the penalty kill (79.2%) but the Capitals have been solid while shorthanded at home. They have the third-best home penalty kill (86.5%) and have killed off 16-of-18 shorthanded situations (88.9%) in the last six home games. In their last five games overall the Caps have killed off 17-of-19 shorthanded situations (89.5%).

Strangers in a strange land –Friday night marks Washington’s only home game in an eight-game, 19-day span. Washington is 9-2-3 at home, 10-4-3 on the road. Once the Capitals return from next week’s Western Conference road trip they will play 12 of their next 19 games at home.

“If you grow up in metro Washington, you grow up a diehard Redskins fan. But if you hate your parents, you grow up a Cowboys fan.”-Jim Lachey